Akal Takht Imposes Religious Penalty on Punjab Minister Harjot Bains
Akal Takht issued a religious punishment to Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains for a dance performance that offended Sikh sentiments. Bains must perform voluntary service and fulfill various tasks to atone. Future government events should focus on Sikh values, and the government is urged to support Sikh organizations in organizing cultural events.
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The powerful religious authority of Sikhism, the Akal Takht, has pronounced a 'tankhah' or religious punishment on Punjab's Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. This disciplinary action comes in response to a controversial dance performance held at an event commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Srinagar.
The Akal Takht, led by officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, summoned Bains to Amritsar for allegedly hurting Sikh sentiments. As part of his penance, Bains is required to perform 'sewa' or voluntary service, which includes cleaning shoes at a religious site and repairing roads leading to significant gurdwaras, among other tasks.
The directive also calls for future government programs to align more closely with Sikh values and traditions. The Akal Takht emphasized that the government should support Panthic organizations like the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in hosting events, instead of organizing its own entertainment programs that risk offending religious sentiments.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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